Maya Train Bridges Already Crumbling

The Maya Train bridge in Xul-ha, located in southern Quintana Roo, has sustained significant damage less than three months after its inauguration. This poses a substantial risk to motorists using this route, which is part of the ambitious and controversial 4T project.

Three bridges associated with the Tren Maya project in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco have reported structural weaknesses or sinking. These bridges are situated around the city of Chetumal, within the Subteniente López, Huay-Pix, and Xul-Há communities, all of which show structural inconsistencies.

The Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC) delegation in Quintana Roo views this as a serious issue. They have requested that the Secretariat of Defense inspect and repair the bridges.

Ulises Morales Estrada, the head of the Quintana Roo CMIC, attributes the bridges’ current state of disrepair to several factors. These include a rushed construction timeline, inadequate structural calculations, and insufficient analysis of soil conditions. These engineering-related issues could have contributed to the premature damage the bridges are now exhibiting.

Estrada emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of those using the bridges. This is particularly crucial given the evident settlement issues with the new infrastructure and hidden flaws in the project’s development.

Estrada believes immediate action is necessary to prevent a potential mobility crisis, similar to the one that severely impacted economic and tourist activity in southern Quintana Roo in the latter half of 2024.

Other construction and engineering experts suggest that there is still time for the government to investigate potential issues with suppliers providing substandard material or contractors failing to perform their duties adequately due to the project’s urgency. They also stress the importance of constant monitoring in large-scale projects to identify any settlement and take appropriate measures.

These early failings underscore the need for the public to be aware of the Maya Train’s potential flaws, encourage authorities to conduct thorough reviews and report on the oversight of the labs responsible for quality testing of materials.